Handyman Guide > Mending Plates - Bolts - Abrasives

MENDING PLATE

Mending plates are obtainable in many shapes and sizes. They are made of steel with holes counter sunk, so that when a flathead screw is used, the head will be flush with the surface of the plate. These plates are ideal for reinforcing almost any kind of wood joint. They are especially good for screen-frame repair work. Mending plates should always be attached with wood screws, never nails.

BOLTS

The advantage of using a nut and bolt to make a wool joint, rather than a nail or wood screw, is that the joint can be taken apart easily and as often as necessary without damage to the wood. The sections of any portable structure should be bolted rather than screwed or nailed together. On many heavy woodworking jobs the home mechanic will find that bolts are easier to install and give better results than wood screws or nails. Drill a hole first which corresponds to the size of the bolt to be used. Place a washer over the end of the bolt and run down the nut. The washer will prevent the nut from coming loose and keep the wood from being damaged as the nut is tightened. Turning in the bolt too much will damage the threads.

Machine bolts have a square head that can be held with a wrcnch. Carriage bolts have an oval head, but the shank is square for a short distance below the head, preventing the head from turning in the wood as the nut is tightened. Use a monkey wrench or a spanner to tighten.

ABRASIVES

Sandpaper. The term sandpaper is used throughout this book to describe the type of abrasive paper commonly used for smoothing down a wood surface. Actually, no abrasive paper is made out of sand because it is not very effective. 'l'he very coarse grades of abrasive paper are made with flint, while the finer grades are made out of garnet.

There are two systems for grading abrasive papers, but the one most commonly used starts at 3%. This is very coarse paper, good for little except very rough work. The scale runs to 9/0, which is very fine. In between are the medium papers, such as Nos. 1, 112, 0, 00, and these are suitable for most jobs in the home workshop.

Steel Wool. Steel wool is an excellent abrasive for the workshop because it is pliable and can be worked around curves in furniture and in other places difficult to work with sandpaper. Steel wool is also less likely to scratch a finish and may, therefore, be used on enamel. Steel wool is graded by the same system used for sandpaper, but it is somewhat finer throughout.

Very fine abrasives, such as pumice stone, are used for polishing.

Sanding shouid always be done with the wood grain, to avoid damaging the wood. You will find that in most cases you can begin with one of the rather coarse grades and work down to the finer grades as the wood surface becomes smoother.

After the sanding has been completed, the wood should be dusted carefully. This is very important if the surface is to be varnished.



Continue to Woodworking Glue - Splices and Joints



Tools and Materials
Hammers - Handsaws - Screwdrivers - Chisels - Brace and Bit - Hand Drill - Brad Awl - Planes - Files - Measuring Tools - Rules - Squares - Marking Gauge - Levels - Pincers - Nail Set - Drawknife - Cabinet Scraper - Small Tool Kit - Putty Knife - Pliers - Wrenches - Paint Scraper - Sharpening Tools - Nails - Wood Screws - Corrugated Fasteners - Mending Plates - Bolts - Abrasives - Woodworking Glue - Splices and Joints.

The Workshop
Equipping the Workshop - Heating - Fire Precautions - The Workbench - Saw Bucks - Tool Rack.

Home Construction
Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
Home Heating Systems - Chimneys - Coal Furnaces - Fuels - Burning Wood - Furnace Dampers - Starting a Coal Fire - Removal of Ashes - Coal Stokers - Oil Burners - Kerosene Heaters - Thermostats - Boiler Dampers - Fuel Economy - Warm Air System - Steam System - Vacuum System - Hot Water System - Radiators - Boilers - Maintaining the System - Insulating the System - Home Insulation - Storm Windows - Weather Stripping - Insulating Your Home - Blanket and Rigid Insulation - Unfinished Attic and Exterior Walls - Winterizing a Cabin - Preparing the foundation - Winterproofing a Cottage - Fireplaces - Reducing Condensation - Humidity.

Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter about how to start a handyman business. Get tips for finding clients, managing work and more.

More articles about starting a handyman business:

How to Start a Handyman Business

Handyman Business Cards

Handyman Clients: How to Find the Best Ones

Are You Cut Out to Be a Handyman?

Tools for a Handyman Business

Payment Options for Handymen

How To Advertise a Handyman Business

Customer Service Tips for Handymen

Choosing a Name for a Handyman Business

Record Keeping Basics for Handymen

Being a Handyman Versus Having a Handyman Business or a Franchise

Getting a Website for Your Handyman Business

Getting Paid Upfront: Deposit Policies for Handymen

How Much To Charge Per Hour

Should You Charge by the Hour, or by the Job?

Insurance for Handymen

Handyman Business Book Reviews

The Handyman Guide: How to Fix and Build 1000s of Things Around the House